Thoughts and prayers are with our brother Manuel Avilés, OFM Cap., who was ordained a transitional Deacon on Saturday, May 3, 2014, at the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. The ordaining Bishop was +Martin D. Holley, Auxiliary Bishop of the Washington Archdiocese

The Lord has already blessed us with a brother who takes this new step in his faith journey. May the Lord bless your ministry and the people you serve, Manuel!

Br. Matt Hindelang, OFM Cap., from Sacred Heart Friary in DC, was able to capture almost 130 shots of the moment. Sample moments from the Mass and the celebration that followed at our friary just up from the basilica, St. Francis Friary ('Capuchin College') . . .

Bishop Bill Fey, OFM Cap., has sent in a delightful and thorough account of his recent pastoral travels throughout West New Britain in Papua New Guinea where he serves as the Bishop of the Kimbe Diocese.

The canonization of Pope St. John XXII and Pope St. John Paul II attracted millions of pilgrims to the eternal city, but the Capuchins were well represented by the friars who are actually living there.

The Capuchin Friars of the Pennsylvania Province have had a ‘hermitage’ for decades since the renewal of our life and Constitutions after the Second Vatican Council. Recently moved to Pittsburgh, PA, the hermitage has been a dwelling place where friars who seek more pronounced solitude can do so while maintaining their lives in brotherhood. That dwelling has been in several different locations over time but has always existed with the same goal: providing an environment where human hearts can hear the Word of God in solitude.

Our brother Paul Dressler, OFM Cap., addressed the DC Young Adult Ministry's Theology on Tap Series: "A Church that is Poor & for the Poor". His talk was on "Simplicity and Spiritual Freedom". During the presentation, he shared about those poor whom he met and the ways in which the encounters have impacted his life

Provincial Minister, David Nestler, OFM Cap., was in Harrisburg, PA, for the installation of the new bishop, Ronald Gainer and reports that all the friars working in the diocese were present for the occasion. Harrisburg friars John Bednarik, Orlando Reyes, Michael Rubus and Stephen Shin joined our York brothers Lou Petruha, John McCloskey, Jim Menkhus and Zenon Maszczyk.